Altars of Stone

Book One of The Line of Shem Trilogy

by Corinne Brixton

When flaming torches are held aloft as Shem lies hidden and menacing voices make his blood run cold, all he can do is whisper a silent, desperate prayer into the night air.

As Shem escapes with his life, he commits himself to following Yahweh, the God of his father, Noah. But a message of impending judgment is about to change his life—and that of his family—forever.

The plans of Yahweh, however, do not end with either Noah or his sons. Shem’s descendants encounter his God again and again. Through the infertility of a wealthy, elderly couple and the call to travel into the unknown. Through a family mired in deceit, jealousy and betrayal. Through a famine and an unlikely rise to power. And as they build their altars to Yahweh on their journeys, His purposes unfold…

Using Old Testament stories and imagined scenes around them, "Altars of Stone" follows the lives of Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Joseph, through characters close to them. This is the first instalment of “The Line of Shem” trilogy, which aims to build up an overview of the main characters, themes and theology of the Old Testament, showing how they link together. The books seek to enrich both new and established readers of the Bible, with geographical, cultural and historical details woven throughout.

Author news

Corinne Brixton's first book, "Through Martha's Eyes", was published in March 2017.

Here is what some have already said about the book:

‘This book is a bit like an enjoyable film which vividly retells the story of Jesus. It brings together biblical texts, lots of historical and social background, and plenty of intelligent imagination filling out the story. Jesus was a real person living in a real historical world among real people, and this book helps bring his story alive for us by suggesting how Martha might have experienced it. I am glad to commend it warmly.’
Revd. Dr. David Wenham, MA, PhD, Tutor in New Testament, Trinity College Bristol;
author of “The Parables of Jesus”, and “Paul and Jesus: The True Story”

‘Corinne Brixton is a wise and experienced guide to the Christian life. This is a book which I hope will introduce many to the riches of the Bible, and help them to understand it better.’
Rt. Revd. Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington and President of St Mellitus College;
author of “The Seven Deadly Sins and How to Overcome Them”, and “Looking Through The Cross”

‘This book achieves its goal of providing a readily accessible background to the gospels for newer Christians. In reality, its appeal is much broader—it is an easy read which will bring the gospel stories into a fresh focus.’
Christine Fry, Member of Church of England General Synod.

‘Corinne Brixton has brought the people and events of Jesus' ministry to life in this vivid story, told through the eyes of his friend Martha and her family. Readers will be drawn into the pacey narrative, and learn much about the meaning of Jesus along the way.’
Prof. Gordon McConville, Professor of Old Testament Theology, University of Gloucestershire;
author of “Exploring the Old Testament” and “Deuteronomy” (Apollos Old Testament Commentary)

‘A brilliant portrayal of the monumental events surrounding the life of Christ. I both laughed and cried. Through Martha’s Eyes will be valued by those who have known the story since childhood, and those who come to it for the first time.’
Revd. Clive Gardner, Team Vicar of St Mark’s, Wimbledon

‘A fascinating glimpse of family life in the time of Jesus and extremely well researched.’
Rt. Revd. John Ellison, Retired Bishop of Paraguay, and Honorary Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Winchester, and Judie Ellison.

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About the Author

Corinne Brixton

After studying for a degree in Physics, Corinne worked for several years as a government scientist, before being ordained in the Church of England. Twenty years of church ministry in two different parishes around north-east London followed. Corinne currently lives and writes in Hampshire.